"Rather a dreary routine, I imagine, for a young fellow of his age. Still,
he may like it, possibly."
He thought of his own early studies and of his own early self-
sufficiencies. He felt disposed to find his earlier self in this young man
--or at least an inclination to look for himself there.
The next afternoon he walked over to Medora Phillips. Medora's upper floor
gave asylum to a half-brother of her husband's--an invalid who seldom saw
the outside world and who depended for solace and entertainment on
neighbors of his own age and interests. Randolph expected to contribute,
during the week, about so many hours of talk or of reading. But he would
have a few words with Medora before going up to Joe.
Medora, among her grilles and lambrequins, was only too willing to talk
about young Cope.
"A charming fellow--in a way," she said judicially. "Frank, but a little
too self-assured and self-centered. Exuberant, but possibly a bit cold.
Yet--charming."
"Oh," thought Randolph, "one of the cool boys, and one of the self-
sufficing. Probably a bit of an ascetic at bottom, with good capacity for
self-control and self-direction.
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